Ever heard of the ancient leaf art?
Rice straw art has been in existence for thousands of years but is in danger of being extinct. The history of straw art goes way back in time when people didn't know how to make various colors, paint or dyes. The artists at that time used the natural colors of the rice straw (dried leaves of the rice plant) to create images. They used the different shades of rice straw to create color for their art works. This unique leaf art originated in the southern tip of India called Kerala Thousands of years ago and passed on from generation to generation and less than one hundred artists practices this beautiful art at this time. The artists uses very primitive tools in this art like in the old times, they use spear shaped instrument to open up & straighten out the straw. They use double edged razor blades or any sharp stones to cut the straw. The glue they used in this art is called gum Arabic, it is not a man made glue but it is the sap from a tree and it holds the straw in place. Rice straw art is a very ancient form of leaf art practiced by less than 100 artists around the world today and Ray Koshy of Galveston, Texas is the only artist practicing this unique art in the USA. Rice Straw Museum in Galveston, Texas is dedicated to Preserve, Promote & Protect this ancient art from extinction and to introduce this beautiful art to America. If you like to know more about the ancient leaf art and see some of the leaf art works visit the Museum at URL http://members.aol.ebay.com/aboutme/museumshop/
Ray Koshy is the curator of the Rice straw Museum and he is also a leaf artist. If you like to know more about this beautiful ancient leaf art call or write to Ray at 409-762-5621 and his email is rkoshy9622@aol.com. or visit the museum at: http://members.aol.ebay.com/aboutme/museumshop/
About the author: Ray Koshy is a Registered Nurse in galveston, Texas and he is also a rice straw artist & curator of the Rice Straw Museum.